Vacuum filling stem



May 19, 1953 l. H. RISSER 2,639,077

VACUUM FILLING STEM I Filed Dec. 8, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l fizzy/17,607"

QZZZ @544 May 19, 1953 H. RISSER VACUUM FILLING STEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ewan/07" iLl 111 {l 51???? II" Filed Dec. 8, 1949 Patented May 19, 1953 VACUUM FILLING STEM Ivan H. Kisser, Glenview, Ill., assignor to U. S. Battlers Machinery Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application December 8, 1949,-Serial No. 131,769

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to a novel vacuum filling stem for a vacuum filling machine of the type in which one or more filling tubes and each provided with a filling stem are moved relative to the bottles or containers to be filled. This relative motion may result either from lowering the tubes into contact with the containers or bottles or by raising the latter into sealing contact with the filling stem.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel vacuum filling stem so designed, constructed and arranged as to reduce leakage of the fluid at the tube tip to a minimum.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a novel vacuum filling stem and a novel valve construction and arrangement whereby to prevent leakage of the liquid being dispensed when the stem is withdrawn from the container after the filling operation.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novel vacuum stem assembly for use with a vacuum filling machine, comprising an outer tube connected to the source of vacuum, an inner concentric tube mounted on the filler head and connected to the source of liquid supply, and a tube tip and valve seat carried by the inner tube assembly at its lower end, the outer tube being slidably mounted on the inner tube and when moved on the inner tube opening the valve and permitting discharge of liquid from the inner tube, and when lowered shutting off the flow of liquid and sealing against leakage about the tip.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a novel tip and valve assembly for a vacuum filling stem, and of a novel means and manner of controlling the liquid flow during dispensing and quickly and efiectively stopping all flow and leakage when a predetermined level of liquid has been dispensed into a bottle or container to be filled.

The present invention further comprehends the provision of a novel vacuum filling stem to be attached to the filler head and including a pair of telescopic tubular members the inner of which is connected at one end to the filler and liquid supply and at its other end having a laterally opening discharge port for the liquid to be dispensed and a valve seat, and an air vent groove on the exterior of said inner member extending for the greater portion of its length and disposed between the inner and outer members, and the outer member connected to a source of vacuum and to the air vent groove in the inner member, and a valve seating surface on the outer member adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the valve seat whereby during the filling operation the valve seating surface on the outer tube is raised from its valve seat and uncovers the dischargeport in the inner tube, and when the outer tube is lowered into seating engagement it covers the discharge port and-the fiowof liquid therethrough is-prevented.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such fur-. ther objects. advantagesand capabilitiesas will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention furtherresides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangement of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a vacuum fillingsystem or assembly and showing the present. novel vacuum filling stem applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in vertical crosssection through the novel vacuum filling stem, filling tube and vacuum vent lead, the filling stem being shown in the position it occupies during the filling operation.

Fig. 3 is. an enlarged view similar to Fig. 2 but with vacuum filling stem elevated .or separated from the bottle.

Fig. 4 is a view in horizontal cross-section taken in a plane represented by the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a .viewin side elevation of the valve tip and valve seat, and showing its connection to the lower end of the valve rod.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of the lower, end of the inner tube and Fig. 7 is afragmentary view of the lower end of the outer tube of the filling stem.

Referring tothe disclosure in the drawings and more particularly to the novel illustrative embodiment of the vacuum filling stem, Fig. 1 shows schematically a vacuum filling system or assembly of the type with which the novel filling stem of the present invention is employed. It consists of a liquid supply tank I containing the liquid with which the bottles or other containers 2 are to be filled. This liquid under atmospheric pressure as shown by the arrows, is forced through a supply pipe lead 3 to a filling tube 4 and filler head 5 and from the latter into the novel vacuum filling stem designated generally at 6 from which it is discharged into the bottle or container 2.

A vacuum pump 1 has a lead or pipe 8 connected to an overflow separator cylinder 9 and from this cylinder there is a vacuum vent lead III which may be in the form of a flexible tube connected to a head or collar II forming a part of an outer tube assembly I2. The overflow separator cylinder is preferably provided with a relief valve I3 and a drain I4 for returning any overflow liquid collected in this cylinder to the supply tank I.

The novel filling stem 6 is of a telescoping tube or sleeve type comprising the outer tube assembly I2, an inner tube assembly I5 and a combined tube tip I6 and rod I1, the latter carrying at its lower end the tip. The outer tube assembly I2 includes the head or collar II having a tubular extension providing a connector I8 attached to the vacuum vent lead I and opening at its inner end into an annular groove I9 in the interior of the head or member I I. The depending tube or tubular part 2| is tapered at its lower end or edge (Fig. '7) to provide a valve seating surface 22 contoured in conformity with the tapered surface on the valve seat 23 formed or provided on the tip I6 whereby when the seating surface 22 on the end of the depending tubular part 2I engages the valve seat 23, a tight seal is effected. I

The inner tube assembly I comprises a threaded connector 24 at its upper end adapted to be screwed into or otherwise held in the lower end of the passage or bore 25 in the head 5 of the filling tube 4, and a depending tube or tubular part 26 depressed or indented along its exterior for a substantial portion of its length to provide a longitudinally extending groove or channel 21 which opens adjacent its upper end into the annular groove I9 in the outer tube assembly I2. This tubular part 26 of the inner tube assembly is telescoped and fits conformably within the depending tubular part 2| of the outer tube assembly, but permitting longitudinal sliding movement therebetween. At or adjacent its lower end and preferably opposite to the longitudinal groove 21, the inner tube is provided with a relatively large discharge opening or slot 28 for passage of the entering liquid from the inner tube during the filling or dispensing operation.

The tube tip I8 is drawn tightly and rigidly and securely held against the tapered lower end 29 of the inner tube assembly by the threaded lower end of the rod I1 which extends through the inner tube and at its upper end projects through the passage 25 and an aligned bore 3| in the upper portion of the head 5 of the filler tube 4 and is sealed thereat by a resilient seal 32 encompassing the rod. This seal is preferably of conical shape and is drawn into sealing contact with the complementary tapered surface 33 at the upper end of the bore 3| whenever the nut 34 is tightened against the washer 35. When thus tightened the upper reduced end 36 of the tube tip I6 is drawn into the lower end of the tubular part 26 of the inner tube assembly until the inwardly tapered surface 23 of this tip tightly seats against the preferably tapered edge 29 of the inner tubular part 26. This tip I5 is provided with a vertical hole or opening 31 merging into an approximately radial hole or port 38 aligned with and opening into the lower end of the longitudinal groove 21 which in turn opens into and connects with the annular groove I9 in the outer tube assembly and the vacuum lead I0 through the connector I8.

Adjustable upon the outer tube assembly I2 but rigidly aflixed thereto when the desired height or adjustment has been determined, is a sealer rubber 39 carried by and secured to the lower end of a split clamp 4|. This clamp and the depending rubber are slidable and adjustable longitudinally on the outer tube assembly but clamped and secured in the adjusted position by a tightening of the clamping bolts 42.

From the disclosure in Figs. 2 and 3, it will be evident that when assembled for operation, the outer tube assembly I2 is bodily slidable longitudinally of the inner tube assembly I5 and the tube tip I6 and rod I1 are rigidly secured to the inner tube assembly I5 and the filler tube head 5. Relative movement between the outer and inner tube assemblies I2 and I5 may be effected in various ways whenever the sealer rubber 39 engages with or is engaged by the open neck of the bottle or container 2. For example, the filling tube carrying the novel vacuum filling stem may be lowered to cause the end of the stem to enter the neck of the bottle or container, whereupon the sealer rubber 39 engages and seals against the upper end of the neck of the bottle or container and further lowering of the filler tube causes the outer tube assembly to be elevated to the position shown in Fig. 2. In this position the tubular part 2| and its tapered lower end 22 of the outer tube assembly are raised from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 2 in which the discharge port or opening 28 is uncovered. Liquid then passes from the supply tank I, through the filler tube 4 and head 5, downwardly through the inner tube assembly and outwardly through the large discharge port 28. At such time the holes or passages 31 and 38 although still aligned with the longitudinal groove 21, do not provide a closed path therewith.

The novel vacuum filling stem is equally well adapted for a machine in which the filling tube remains stationary and the bottle is elevated and upon engaging the sealer rubber 39 lifts the outer tube assembly to uncover the discharge port 28. In this type of machine, the vacuum filling stem operates in the same manner as above described. Thus the novel invention may be employed in rotary type vacuum fillers or in other types and is admirably adapted for machines filling a single container or one having multiple filling tubes.

From the above disclosure it will be seen that the novel vacuum filling stem comprises three major parts: the outer tube assembly I2, the inner tube assembly I5 and the tip I8 and rod I1 assembly. In the assembly of these units or parts into the complete installation, the inner tube assembly I5 is screwed to the head 5 of the filling tube 4, or otherwise connected thereto as by a slip sleeve joint or ground joint fitting. The outer tube assembly I2 is then slipped over the lower end of the inner tube assembly. Next the valve tip I6 and rod I1 are assembled in the inner tube assembly I5 by passing the upper end of this rod through the inner tube assembly and the aligned bores or openings in the head 5 where the resilient seal 32, washer 35 and the nut 34 are applied and the nut tightened to draw the tube tip I6 into the lower end of the inner tube assembly I5 and the valve seat 23 a ainst the lower tapered edge or sealing surface" 29 of the inner tube. The vacuum vent seal 32 being drawn into the bore 31 and against the complementary tapered surface 33 thereof, leakage of air or vacuum around thevalve tip rod is prevented.

In the assembly of the tube tip IS, the, hole or port 38. is aligned with the longitudinal groove 21 in the exterior of the inner tube I5 so as to provide a continuous air channelor passage from the very end of the tube tip is to the annular groove IQ of the outer tube assembly I2 and the vacuum lead It.

When so assembled and the outer tube assembly I2 is longitudinally elevated or slid up on the inner tube assembly [5 to the limit of its vertical movement and is held in that elevated position by the neck of the bottle 2 as shown in Fig. 2, the vertical groove or indentation 21 in the inner tube remains in communication with the annular groove I9 in the outer tubular member I5. In this position, the neck of the bottle being filled is maintained in sealing engagement by contact with the sealer rubber 39 held in a predetermined adjusted position on the outer tube assembly I2 by means of the slidable sealer clamp ll.

When the filler head 5 andthe connected inner tube assembly I5 is raised orthe bottle 2 is removed from the stem; the weight of the outer tube assembly I2 causes it to automatically slide down on the inner tube assembly and the valve seating surface 22 of the outer tube engages the valve seat 23 on the tube tip is as disclosed in Fig. 3. This closes the discharge opening 28 at the lower end of the inner tube assembly I5 and thus closes off or seals against further flow of the fluid. In this position of the assembly, the longitudinal channel or groove 2'5 in the inner tube assembly is not exposed but is enclosed or encompassed by the outer tube. The telescoping and concentric inner and outer tubes are designed, constructed and arranged as to conform closely so that there is a minimum of air leakage between them at all times with the air fiow therebetween restricted to the longitudinal groove 21. By reason of this close relationship, the air vent channel provided by the vacuum head is fixed, and there is a continuous intake of air through the tube tip I6 of the filling stem by the vacuum lead connection I8 to which vacuum is constantly applied.

When the bottom or container 2 engages or is engaged by the sealer rubber 39 on the outer tube assembly iii, the latter assembly is raised (see Fig. 2) and is the determining factor so far as the location of air removal from the bottle is concerned. Air will be removed from the bottle or container through the longitudinal groove or slot 2'! to a point on the outer tube equivalent to the valve seat. Thus by locating the desired distance between the top of the bottle or container 2 or the base of the sealer rubber 39 and the valve seat 23 on the tube tip I6, and anchoring the sealer rubber thereat by means of the adjustable clamp 4|, an exact predetermined filling point can be located in the bottle or container and thereby assuring that each container will be filled to a definite level.

The component parts of the vacuum filling stem, except for the resilient sealing member 32 and the resilient gaskets or sealing washers employed wherever desired or required, may be formed of stainless steel or other material suitable for the purpose.

rom the abovesdescr pt onand he-disclosu in the drawings of its construction and operation, it will be evident that the novel vacuum filling stem'is dripless' when the valve seat is closed, for air .continuously flows into the holes or openings 31 and 38 in the valve tip I6 and acts vas a scavenger whereby to pick up any liquid that has a tendency to leakabout the valve seat. This construction and; arrangement reduces the amount ofvacuum on the column of liquid being drawn from, the supply tube 'I through the filling tube assembly, whereby the overflow is substantially reduced'over the standard or conventional types of fillingstems now in use on vacuum filling machines.

Furthermore, the novel vacuum filling tube of the present invention makes no attempt to withdraw airfrom :the bottle orcontainer during the filling operation below the point where the liquid is being introduced into the bottle-or container by the'filling stem. Thus agitation is reducedto aminimum :during filling and a resulting uniform level fill without aeration is effected. I I

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim: l. In a vacuum filling stem attachment for the filler head of a vacuum filling machine and adaptedto fill a container to a predetermined level, an inner and an outer telescoping tube assembly with the outer freely movable vertically upon the inner; the inner tube assembly being connected at its upper end to the filler head and having a depending tubular part provided adjacent its lower end with a, relatively large discharge opening and a removably and adjustably mounted tube tip and valve seat therebelow closing the lower end of said tubular part except for the discharge opening, an air vent groove in the exterior of the inner tube assembly extending upwardly from the lower end and communieating with an aligned and laterally opening air vent in the tip, the outer telescoping tube assembly having a valve seating surface at its lower end for sealing engagement when lowered into contact with the valve seat and in which position it closes of]? passage through the discharge opening in the inner tube assembly and establishes communication between the air vent groove and the air vent, said outer tube assembly being provided with a head at its upper end having an internal groove connected to a, source of vacuum and in communication with the air vent groove and provided with an adjustably mounted sealer rubber for contact with the neck of a bottle to be filled and when the outer tube assembly is elevated with respect to the inner tube assembly, the valve seating surface is withdrawn from its sealing contact with the valve seat, breaks the vacuum through the air vent groove and the air vent in th valve tip and uncovers the discharge port.

2. In a vacuum filling stem for a vacuum filling machine, concentric tubular members including an outer member connected adjacent its upper end to a vacuum lead and an inner member connected to a liquid supply thereabove and having a discharge port adjacent its lower end, a valve member removably mounted on the lower end of the inner member below the discharge port and having a later-ally opening air vent therethrough communicating with an air vent groove between the concentric tubular members, said valve member closing the lower end of the inner member except through said discharge port, and a. valve seating surface on the lower end of the outer member which when in raised position opens the discharge port and breaks the vacuum by opening the air vent groove where it communicates with the vent, and when in lowered position closes the port and air vent groove and establishes the vacuum through the vent.

3. In a vacuum filling stem attachment for the filler head of a vacuum filling machine and adapted to fill a container to a predetermined level, an inner and an outer telescoping member with the inner member provided with a discharge port adjacent its lower end and the outer member slidable upon the inner member in an amount suflicient to open and close the discharge port, said inner member being connected to the liquid supply through the filler head and the outer member being connected to the vacuum, a valve tip detachably mounted on and closing the lower end of the inner member except for the discharge port and adapted to be engaged by the lower end of the outer member when the latter is in lowered position whereby to seal against discharge of the liquid, and a vacuum lead between the inner and outer telescoping members and connected to an air vent in the tip when the outer member is in its lowered position to close the discharge opening, and thereby prevent leakage about the tip.

4. A vacuum filling stem adapted to be connected to a filler head of a vacuum filling ma- 8 chine for discharging a predetermined level of a liquid into a container, comprising a unit assembly including a pair of telescoping tubular assemblies with the inner assembly connected to the filler head and source of fluid supply and the outer assembly connected to a pump for drawing a vacuum, a vacuum lead between the telescoping members, a tube tip attached to the lower end of the inner assembly and provided with an air vent therethrough adapted to communicate with the vacuum lead and a valve seat, a discharge port in the inner assembly disposed above the tip and valve seat, the lower end of the outer assembly having an annular seating surface engaging the valve seat when the outer assembly is lowered upon the inner assembly whereby to close off the discharge port and connect the air vent in the tip to the vacuum lead to prevent leakage, but when the outer assembly is elevated upon the inner assembly said connection is broken.

IVAN H. RISSER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 662,085 Nichols Nov. 20, 1900 938,482 Haller Nov. 2, 1909 1,978,002 Weaver Oct. 23, 1934 2,162,404 Kerr June 13, 1939 

